autoresearch

name	autoresearch
description	Stateful validator-gated research loop with native-hook persistence
surface-class	operator
domain	creator-runtime
audience	operator
artifact-type	skill

Autoresearch

Autoresearch is the skill-first replacement for the deprecated rcs autoresearch command. It keeps the useful measured-research loop, but it now runs as a native-hook stateful workflow instead of a direct CLI or tmux launch surface.

Use when

• You want a Forge-like persistent research loop
• The task should keep nudging until explicit validation evidence exists
• You want init-time choice between script validation and prompt+architect validation

Do not use when

• You want the old rcs autoresearch command surface (hard-deprecated)
• You want detached tmux or split-pane launch parity
• You have not decided the validation regime yet

Core contract

1. Init chooses validation mode. Pick exactly one:
   • mission-validator-script
   • prompt-architect-artifact
2. Persist mode state in .rcs/state/.../autoresearch-state.json including:
   • validation_mode
   • completion_artifact_path
   • mission_validator_command or validator_prompt
   • optional output_artifact_path
3. Completion is artifact-gated. The loop does not stop because the model says “done”, because a stop hook fired once, or because several turns were no-ops.
4. Direct CLI launch is gone. Use $deep-interview --autoresearch for intake and $autoresearch for execution.

Completion artifact contract

mission-validator-script

The completion artifact must exist and record a passing validator result, for example:

{
  "status": "passed",
  "passed": true,
  "summary": "metric improved beyond baseline"
}

prompt-architect-artifact

The completion artifact must include both an architect approval verdict and an output artifact path, for example:

{
  "validator_prompt": "Review the research output against the mission.",
  "architect_review": { "verdict": "approved" },
  "output_artifact_path": ".rcs/specs/autoresearch-demo/report.md"
}

Recommended flow

1. Run $deep-interview --autoresearch to clarify mission + evaluator.
2. Materialize .rcs/specs/autoresearch-{slug}/mission.md, sandbox.md, and result.json.
3. Start $autoresearch with the chosen validation mode stored in mode state.
4. Let stop-hook / auto-nudge continue until the completion artifact satisfies the chosen validation mode.
5. Finish only after the validator artifact is complete.

Migration note

• rcs autoresearch is hard-deprecated.
• No direct CLI launch.
• No tmux split-pane launch.
• No noop-count completion gate.